A Note to Mom and Dad

September 2020

 

 

Dear Parents,

 

        Welcome to a fun-filled year of growth, positive change, and adventure for you and your child.  I look forward to seeing you all at our Meet & Greet, getting to know you and your child,  and telling you a little about myself and our second grade program. 

 

        My philosophy of education is simple.  Children learn best with daily hands on practice (by doing, not watching), when engaged, and with encouraged.  If you add empathy, mutual respect, and care, you have a winning recipe for academic success.   By teaching a concept, modeling it, and then gradually releasing responsibility to the student, students take pride, ownership, and responsibility for their learning! 

 

        We will begin this school year virtually, with a transition to in-school learning in October if all goes well!  So, I'd like to welcome you to our virtual classroom!  It is organized by TOPIC sections which include each day of the week.  At the top of the Google Classroom you will find a Parent Resource section and an Every Day Resource section.  You can go here is you need help.  I also want to note that YouTube has been a life saver for me.  If I don't know how to do something, I Google it and watch a video!  9 times out of 10, I can do it!  I would suggest that if you get stuck.  It is SO helpful.  Of course, I am here and we have a great technology support staff.  Reach out if you need help.  We are more than happy to help you in any way we can.

 

        We will be running the virtual classroom quite differently this year.  It will be run more like a "real" classroom.  The schedule will run throughout the day with class from 9-11am, special at 11-11:40ish, with a break for lunch from 11:40-1, then back to school again from 1-3pm.  This is a big change.  There will be more live lessons.  If all goes well, I will be on Google Meets during those hours.  NOW..don't panic.  I will schedule breaks throughout the day, whether it is snack, a brain break, independent work OR work in groups with me, another teacher, or teaching assistant.  There will be a shift in responsibility.  Last year, I created lessons or found lesson supports on the web for the students to watch.  Then, they completed assignments I created independently OR with parent support.  Trust me.  I had a second grader.  I understand they NEED that support.  I am also a teacher of 2nd graders (one of the greatest years of all!), I know what they need and will be there to give that to them.

 

        We just need to create the structure.  "If you build it, they will come."  That couldn't be more true.  The district and I understand that many of you have to work and in some cases may have to come back to an assignment.  My hope is that you can find a structure that will allow your child to attend class.  NO.  They will not be on the computer for the full 4 hours.  I will build in work periods and breaks.  YES.  They will be responsible to be in class and come back to the Google Meet for each subject.  And...as I type that, I know...they are 7 years old.  So, who is responsible?  Again, my hope is that you can find a way to make this schedule work.  I will forward the "official" schedule as soon as I make it.  As we go through the school days, I'm sure there will be slight changes.  The word for me this year is PIVOT, PIVOT, PIVOT.  I was a basketball mom!  Pivoting helps a player avoid a defensive player and find an opening on the court to take a shot, make a pass, or dribble toward the basket.  That will be us this year, all working together as a team, pivoting if we need to.  Our goal, the ball finding the basket...in our case, educating our children/my students.  

 

        This year, virtual attendance will become very important.  Each morning, we will have a quick morning meeting to begin the day.  I would suggest making sure your child attends as it will important in many ways.  It builds community and a feeling of significance and belonging for your child.  It will build a ROUTINE which will be so important and connect them with their friends.  It will also be the first place I take attendance for the day.  I won't do it out loud, but I will take note.  

 

        Next week will be a getting to know you week.  There will be some assignments, but I won't be starting on an official "curriculum" yet.  Well...maybe a little bit, but it will be a slow beginning.  IMPORTANT:  Next week, beginning on Tuesday we will hold class for a half day in the AM.  The afternoons will be reserved for a Meet & Greet.  Parents and their child are invited to come in to school and meet me!  I am looking forward to this SO much! You will receive books, papers, & supplies for your child.  Immediately after I send this message to you, I will be creating (wish me luck) an on-line invitation to sign up for a time.  We will allow time in-between meetings for clean-up/disinfecting.  Obviously, if you are ill or have been exposed to COVID, etc. you should contact me seperately. And of course, we will all be wearing our fashionable masks!  I bought a see-through one so the kids can see me smile.  It gets a little foggy, but I think it's important for them to see ME.   I'm sure there will be a protocol at the front desk as you enter the building.

 

        I will be the English Language Arts teacher for the entire 2nd grade.  That means I will be teaching Reading, Writer's Workshop, and Grammar to your child.  This will hold true during in-person school as well.  Renee O'Donnell will teach Math, Science/Social Studies (they rotate every 2 weeks or so), and Fundations.  Your child will start the day in our homeroom.  In the afternoon, Mrs. O'Donnell will come to our class to teach and I will go to her class to teach.  Mrs. McKinney (Mrs. Osterhoudt) decided to do this so that more supporting staff could be in place for each class.  It is the first time I will be doing this and it will be a challenge.  But, I do think it will be a good thing.

  

         READING:  Please encourage your child to read.  Read with him/her.  Take turns reading to each other.  It is the basis for all other learning.  With a strong bond between home and school, your child will learn to enjoy reading. The children will expected to read for 10-20 minutes each night.  This can be with or without you.  You be the judge of what works best for your child.  A reading log will be provided each day on the Google Classroom.  Please log and sign for your child's reading.  I'm looking for a new log that is similiar to the paper one I use in school.  That way the children can see how much they have accomplished!   We will complete a story per week.  The reading test will be on most Fridays (we'll see...we may have to PIVOT).

        Birthdays are important in our classroom!  I will acknowledge your child's birthday with a virtual class card and extra special treatment!   

 

        I look forward to building a "rainbow" bridge, between home and school!  

 

                                                Fondly,

 

                                              Frances M.